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Forums - Discs & Movies - News on HD-DVD - vs Blu-Ray

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Don't you wanna wait for the High Def DVD? Of course then you have to wait for the High Def special edition. After enjoying that release, then your be especially pleased with the High Def extended version with additional footage never before seen. Then comes the Trilogy on High Def!! High Anxiety! Just can't wait to buy another DVD Tower. Oh no, I don't have building permits yet. Yikes!!

Worst Nightmare wrote: More news about Blu-Ray - go here Looks like capacity may be HALVED....

Not exactly, they're just talking about using a single layer disc. It'll be like DVD was originally, where most movies came out on a single layered DVD-5 because the facilities and mastering know-how wasn't there to do dual layered yet.

Besides, it all comes down to whatever codec a company chooses to use. Some will use more capacity then others. I think Blu-ray has 2 or 3 of them for manufactureres to choose from.

My main gripe with the format is that its not going to make too many movies look much better than they already do. Like a movie like the Godfather for example, it was never shot digitally or had any cgi or anything like that. Theres a ceiling as to how far it can go. Now, getting a whole season of tv shows on one disk, well thats just makes me happy.

I'm not that fussed about it either to be honest. Sure, it looks better - but I'm perfectly happy with how the majority of current gen discs look now. If I wanted to see every single zit on a persons face in unbelievable detail, I'd grab a microscope and look at myself in the mirror I certainly won't be in a rush to upgrade - although I guess I'll probably have to, or our site will get left behind

Chris wrote: I really can't see it having the same appeal as DVD. I was a relatively early adopter ('99) and I was extremely interested in the format. I don't have any real interest in the new format, and I edit a DVD website. If that's indicative of the average consumer, they could have a problem.

Actually I'd say that is indicative of an avid customer. The sort of person who Blue-Ray and HD-DVD are banking on to lead the charge. In which case they do have a problem. If they are unable to get the interest of early format jumpers they're not going to sell well as only early format jumpers are going to buy the expensive hardware

Basically if they use digital rights management then they may not be allowed to use free software in the future to make the movies. I guess the companies Hollywood use to make special effects will have to make sure they are on Macs/Windows and using commercial software if this goes ahead.

One of the biggest changes to the menu system (for BR at least) seems to be that you will be able to access it while the film is still playing. Whether that proves to be just a gimmick, time will only tell. It is a concern that Sony would seem to be in sole control over the whole HiDef market (if they end up winning over the public) with BR. They'd have a virtual monopoly which doesn't seem right. An electronics company that also happens to own film and TV divisions owning the rights/licences to the system that will be the means by which people watch it's own (and everyone else's) content. So part of me would like to see the HD-DVD camp win out but it seems to have assumed the role of underdog at present. Either way, it will be a good 18-24 months or more before this new gear will be affordable to me and by then the situation will hopefully be less muddy than it is at present.

Since looking more closely at the two formats I currently prefer HD-DVD... you get less space but it uses a much simpler system for interacting with users and it doesn't have that extra level of digital rights management that Blu-Ray has, however that doesn't mean it'll sell better.

Thanks fo that info. I have to admit it, I think Blu-Ray will win the so called format war over HD-DVD. I was kind of against it as a format because early on, the discs themselves were reported to have to be in a protective caddy before going into the player. Because of this I feared there would be no backwards compatibility with regular DVD. We did a show for Columbia a couple of years ago which showed prototypes for these caddy's which would have needed a completely new disc tray or slot. Not to mention the fact that the new players would be built around blue laser technology. Now it appears that the discs can be loaded much the same as DVD's and the players will indeed play regular DVD's. This compatibility has (in the end) won me over. Sorry HD-DVD. Your going to have to go some to still get a piece of the HiDef pie. As an aside, does anyone know if the blue laser will be reading regular DVD's or will there be an additional 'red' laser to do the job?

Original Equipment Manufacturer... basically large manufacturing companies usually based in East Asian countries that produce hardware for the big brands such as Sony. They also commonly design/produce their own hardware and export it to companies that rebadge them in a locally recognised brand name, for example: Bush, Alba, Goodmans, Grundig and so on.

Just as an example, here's the names used by one OEM manufacturer (this is also why the same region hacks can be used on multiple models from different brands):

PS3 will likely be around half the price of standard HD-DVD players, and a quarter the price of Blu-Ray players - seems little point manufacturing a player until cheap OEM parts appear that'll compete with the PS3 on price.

Given that Blu-Ray/HD-DVD players will likely enter the market place at around the £1000 mark, (that's a rough guess based on Pioneers Elite Blu-Ray player at $1800) and be too expensive for most peoples pockets, it will be interesting to see what impact the PS3 will have on the early adopting of the new format (as it will have the capability to play Blu-Ray discs) A PS3 will be a far cheaper way of getting Blu-Ray into peoples homes and could jump start the move to Hi-Def by being a more affordable option.

Mal wrote: Think it would be a good idea, an article or series of articles on HD. We should have a comparison of the two HD formats and maybe more specialist topics like describing how AACS DRM works.I second the notion. It will also help alot of newbies out there....

It's only a different jump if you're bothered about it, which I'm not. I happen to think current DVD looks fine, and I'm not about to replace all my expensive hardware just to get higher resolution images. Of course I will upgrade in the future, because technology does move on and I will eventually need a new TV etc. However, it's just too soon for another format. I really can't see it having the same appeal as DVD. I was a relatively early adopter ('99) and I was extremely interested in the format. I don't have any real interest in the new format, and I edit a DVD website. If that's indicative of the average consumer, they could have a problem.

Ah, answered my own question. it's amazing what you can learn when you actually look for it Well there you go then, I won't be upgrading until I absolutely have to. The extra resolution just isn't enough to convince me to spend thousands of pounds on new equipment. It's like Dolby EX and DTS ES. I have both in 5.1, but I certainly don't think it's worth spending a few hundred quid to get the extra rear channel when the matrixed audio sounds ok...

I have to admit I've done very little reading on the new formats, because I'm just not that interested. I'll only upgrade when I can't get titles I want on DVD any more (such as the proposed Star Wars saga that's rumoured for 2007 on the next-gen formats). However, I can't see myself buying another TV before then, as I want at least five years out of this set for the money I paid.

This started my thinking about backwards-compatibility. I know that the next-gen hardware is supposed to support the playback of older titles, but what about HD titles on SD displays? I'm assuming they'll downscale to 480P/i 576P/i, but does anyone know for sure? I did read that a few discs have been developed that can have both DVD and next-gen content on them.

I've been confused by what I've been reading about these two formats. Like Keith, I already have an extensive dvd collection that ranges from Windsor McCay's first cartoons from 1911 to several features that were released today like Lord of War and Two for the Money. With a collection of over 2,000 dvd's I want to know if these new formats will support the existing format. The early word was "yes." Is this true?

Blue Ray *apparently* will require a phone line conencted for rights mamangment. This might fall over though since it seems as popular as that compettion we ran for Tom's used underpants.

DVI is basically the same as HDMI in that you can get converts which aren't expenisve or complicated. HDMI AFAIK is just DVI with HDCP using a different connector which also can carry an audio signal. It is also possible to have DVI which supports HDCP. Its a digital signal. There will be no signal loss*. Its not like converting component to s-video or anything.

HDCP is a new version of for want of a better word, macrovision.

*There might be signal loss based on interferance from electrical signals or rubbish cable I guess but you know.. its a digital signal. Shouldbe fine ;-)

Its too early to say. I'd rather stick with present DVD format and leave HD for cable or sat/laser transmission. My collection is too large to buy again. Gimme a laser dish in 10 years or so capable of transmitting movies by the terrabyte. I don't want to buy another collection in HD DVD. I've spent enough converting from VHS to DVD. I'm satistfied with what I have.

Mal wrote: There's no way I'm getting a player if they end up using some sort of online rights management system - that's giving them way too much control.Sounds like the Terminator 2 Extreme Edition fiasco - did anyone ever get round the encoding on the 1080i print?

Tony DeFrancisco wrote: What do you guys think will sell more, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Mainly, I'm thinking HD-DVD because of the cheaper price and the fact a lot of people own HDTV's. [Pats Tony on the head] You have much to learn. Now go back to your seat until you've figured out what about that statement is wrong.

There is also a news article for the X-Box where it will be offered an external HD-DVD drive (it uses a DVD drive as it's internal drive at the moment) but they also say that if the popularity warrents it, they will offer an external Blu-Ray drive. go here and have a look.

Hi all - there is a news article on the new formats which ponders a few questions - mainly if there will or won't be a multi-format dvd player produced that supports both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.go here and have a look and comment below.